Urbanus Magnus

We arrived safely back home at around 11:30pm Toronto time Monday the 18th, after 2 stopovers (one in Frankfurt, the other in Washington, DC), and a lot of confusion in the Naples Int'l Airport. Certainly a bad experience with staff, which lead to us both nearly missing our flight, and also damage to our bicycles. But more on that will come with the Naples posting later. Internet from Rome and south of there had been extremely spotty, and expensive at times (5 euro per hour at a few of our hotels - and still slow by N. American standards), so we haven't yet posted about our visits from Siena onwards. Besides, making time for blog-writing was difficult, what with all the sights planned. For the next few days, I will be writing-up the log of the rest of the trip. So, expect Montalcino's write-up tomorrow, then that of Montepulciano on Friday, followed by posts for Orvieto, Viterbo, Rome, Pompeii, and Napoli and our returning flight in the next week-and-a-bit. After a G

This is the [very long] packing list of all the items that we are going to be bringing with us to Italy for our trip (other than our two bicycles, of course). All the items on the list are the totals for both of us combined, unless otherwise noted as per person (p.p.). Extra heavy or bulky equipment like the chain to lock up our bikes, will be bought in Italy once we arrive. Clothing (p.p.) 1 pair light cotton trousers 1 pair cotton shorts 2 pairs cycling shorts 3 pairs underwear 2 cycling jerseys 2 T-shirts 3 pairs socks 1 botton-up/nice long sleeved shirt 1 waterproof riding jacket 1 cycling cap 1 helmet 1 pair cycling gloves - only for Dad 1 pair light pajamas 1 pair running shoes 1 pair walking shoes – Dad buying his overseas Personals/Toiletries Toothbrushes 1 tube toothpaste Contact lenses Lens cases and solution 2 pairs sunglasses - and regular glas

The planning continues, and now I've managed to figure out all the stops, the route and where we will camp on our journey from Florence to Rome, Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi coast. The aeroplane has been booked - leaving May 31 from Toronto Pearson, to arrive June 1 in Florence. We will be returning almost 3 weeks later, flying out on June 18th with 2 layovers (Frankfurt, Germany, and Washington, D.C.) before we arrive back in Toronto. The Itinerary in Brief: 5/31 -  18:40 departure from Toronto 6/1 - 14:00 arrival in Florence! ----> Rest-up day. 6/2 - Touring Florence, seeing the sights. 6/3 - Florence to San Gimignano: 74km        - 8:00 departure by bike        - ETA 17:00        - 17:00 - 20:00; dinner + evening in town        - 21:00; Lodging - arrival @ Camping Baschetto di Piemma 6/4 - San Gimignano to Colleoli: 53km        - 8:00 -13:00; breakfast/tour/lunch        - 13:00 Depart        - ETA 19:30 Colleoli        - Lodging: Local Agriturismo 6/5 - Co

From early June this year, for two weeks, I'll be in Europe. Mostly Tuscany, to be more specific - since my dad and I are planning to do little father-son bike trip in Italy this summer. Italy isn't quite the most cycling friendly nation out there, I will admit (the Netherlands, Germany or France would be much better choices), but the Mediterranean climate, Roman ruins and picturesque scenes wherever one goes have swayed us.  That, and I kinda want to say "Hi!" to the pope. Pisa's Leaning Tower. I bet you a nickel this is the image that appeared in your brain when you read "Italy." As a veteran map-reader (from my boy-scouting days), I have been assigned the somewhat-daunting task of planning the cycling route, and all of our destinations. With a guidebook or two, and tips from friends, I've got the basic event agenda structured. But, what is really difficult however is the route forming; Italian roads are notoriously narrow (no shoulders!) and